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News: Drum Workshop reopens Iconic USA Ovation guitar factory!

Legendary Brand to Resume Production of American-Made Guitars, Basses, Mandolins and Ukuleles

(9.16.2015 - Oxnard, CA) The previously shuttered Ovation Guitar factory in New Hartford Oxnard, will resume USA production of its iconic, round back acoustic electric guitars, basses, mandolins and ukuleles, it was announced today by the company’s new owner, Oxnard, California-based drum and hardware manufacturer Drum Workshop, Inc. Under its previous ownership, the innovative “acoustic/electric” guitar brand made famous by such legendary artists as Glen Campbell, Melissa Etheridge, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Richie Sambora and Kevin Cronin among others closed the New Hartford factory in June of 2014. Ovation was acquired by Drum Workshop in December, 2014 and under its new ownership, the factory will resume production in October, 2015. New models are expected to be available at select U.S. retailers and online in time for the holidays.

“Reopening the same factory where these guitars have been handcrafted for nearly 50 years was essential to the heart and soul of Ovation,” said Ovation product manager, Bill Xavier. “Among our four key luthiers at the New Hartford factory, there are over 120 years of combined knowledge of the brand, as well as the skill, artistry, craftsmanship and integrity that Ovation fans demand of our instruments.”

2016 marks the 50th Anniversary of Ovation and the company plans a rollout of new models that will retain many of the brand’s classic features including the distinctive parabolic shape, Sitka spruce soundboards and innovative onboard electronics which allow the artist to move around the stage. The new models will also feature wood and mother of pearl inlays, as well as Ovation’s emblematic inlaid wood epaulets and multiple sound holes that increase the instrument’s volume and further reduce feedback during amplification.

“Ovation and Drum Workshop share a mutual history of innovation and creating solutions for musicians,” said Ovation brand manager, Bill Xavier. “In our product development we now have access to exotic woods, and other materials that Drum Workshop uses in the manufacturing of its drums and hardware that we never would have had access to before. It is sparking a lot of creative and exciting ideas for new designs.”

Drum Workshop is working with GEWA to distribute the Ovation brand in Europe and additional partners for worldwide distribution of Ovation products.

Ovation plans to celebrate the opening of the New Hartford factory in October as the first of the new production models come off the line with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and performances from some of its top artists.

ABOUT DRUM WORKSHOP INC.

Founded in 1972, Drum Workshop, Inc. is a family-owned and operated musical instrument company best known for designing and manufacturing award-winning drums, pedals, hardware and accessories under the DW and PDP banner. In 2014, the company expanded to include other iconic American instrument brands such as Gretsch Drums®, Latin Percussion®, Toca Percussion®, KAT® Technologies, Gibraltar® hardware and Ovation® guitars. DW’s wide range of products is endorsed by many of the world’s top artists including: Neil Peart, Charlie Watts, Phil Collins, Sheila E., Melissa Etheridge, Mick Fleetwood, Don Henley and Dave Grohl, among others. Drum Workshop, Inc. is headquartered in Oxnard, California.